Planning for 2013

Every December I assemble my marketing and sales ideas for my books.  "What Keeps You Going," will be displayed at the Book Expo in New York in the spring.  The same book along with "Tova," will be on display at the Frankfurt, Germany Book Fair in the fall of the year.  The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world's largest Book Fair.   The books will on display at the booths of the Independent Book Publishers Association.  Going overseas with my books is a major step for me.  I am also putting together a list of craft fairs to continue displaying at and contacting a few new ones.  Presentations will continue to be a major part of my marketing approach.  Sales of my books are satisfactory but never good enough for someone who has been in sales for as long as I have.  Visit my website to see the free offer I have posted.   www.joesmiga.com.

My books for sale at the Intown Manchester Craft Fair

Linda and I shared a space for four Thursdays and one Saturday at 1000 Elm Street Manchester, NH.  This year was the second annual holiday event for the fair.  It had over forty vendors displaying an assortment of goods.  Based on the traffic the fair received we have recommended next year's event should be three Thursdays and two Saturdays.

My Memoir: "What Keeps You Going?"

When I had four books published, my wife and our son who lives in Idaho told me the "Tova" book was from the heart.  My wife went on to say that I needed to write another book from the heart.  I will be honest with you I had no clue what I would write about.  "Tova" was fun and easy to write except for the very end.  Writing about Tova was a tribute to our beloved German Shorthaired Pointer.  I went to sleep that night with this on my mind and woke up the next morning with the title.  I decided to write a memoir because I knew it would be factual and with the hopes of helping others who may have experienced one or more tragedies in their lives.  The book was published in August of 2012 and is getting good reviews from readers. 

Gateway to Terror

When I published my first novel "Behind the Lies," I never thought of writing a sequel to it. Within six months I had numerous requests to write a sequel.  You can read Rhoda's comments below in the posting titled Readers comments.  Rhoda was the first person to make such a request.  John, the head of my writers group, asked me to write one as well.  I advised John that I had promised Rhoda to write a sequel and his next comment was for me to write a trilogy and make it a series of three.  In 2011, Gateway to Terror was published.  It is a sequel to Behind the Lies but also a stand alone book.  The characters come from the first book but the plot is entirely different.  You can enjoy the second book without reading the first.  However, you understand the characters better if you read the first book before the sequel.  The trilogy will come out in 2013.

The Year I Published Two Books

When I started the book "Tova."  I made the decision that it would be published before the western.  The western would wait for 2011.  While I was in the middle of the Tova manuscript Xlibris offered authors a two for one deal in March of 2010.  Since I already had the idea of the two books in my head and partly on my computer I couldn't pass up the discount.  "Tova" was published in May of 2010 and while it was in the publishing process I went back to work on the western.  The challenge was to have the manuscript completed by early June so the book would be published in September for the holiday season.  I made it and the book was actually published in August.  However, I am supposed to be retired and won't put myself through that exercise again discount or no discount.

Missed Writing

Something I learned about myself, when the manuscript for Behind the Lies was going through the publishing process, I realized I missed writing.  I had the vision of doing a western thriller because I grew up in the 1940s and that is when westerns were a big hit.  Actually, they are part of our heritage and will always be at some level.  I began writing my second novel.  After doing ten chapters I put the manuscript aside and started the book titled "Tova."  I wrote it as a teaching tool and as a a tribute to Tova.  After Tova was complete, I returned to the western and published two books in 2010.

Readers' Comments on Behind the Lies

Wow Joe! 

After building the plot effectively in the first half the last half blew me away.  Up to midnight finishing which is something that I do very rarely.  Your writing talents have been hidden but you will take your place with the majors.  A much better plot than the Cussler and Griffins.

When you get your book in front of the major reviewers you should hit the big time.

 

Jim

 You covered every angle and left no loose ends.  It's totally amazing that a first time author could write such a powerful thriller demonstrating a grasp of human nature, politics, espionage, and amazing military knowledge. 

You totally blew me away.  It's better than I ever expected.  I could not put the book down for the last 150 pages.  I sat totally absorbed by the suspense and was surprised by my own emotions as the story evolved.  You did a phenomenal job and now you need to start writing the script for the screen. It will make Tom Clancy take notice that he met his match.

Put me down as your number 1 fan and please get back to work ASAP with a sequel.

Rhoda

 

 

An intelligent, interesting, and sobering story.  This intricate, well-researched plot serves as an important cautionary tale.

 

The reader is reminded of Clancy and Ludlum.

 

This is a novel that should be read and discussed.

 

Phil C.

 

 

 

 

DEAR JOE, 

What a book.  “Behind The Lies,” is one of the best books that I have ever read.  I was quite impressed, and agree with the first testimonial review; add my name to that one. 

Jim T. and I were class mates in high school.  After ordering a hard cover of my book he has ordered five soft covers to be sent to friends with the following message. 

From Jim  T__________ for your years of friendship.  This author was a high school classmate who has written one of the most timely and effective books and should soon be a best seller.  

 

I can’t put the book down, I’m so into it.    

You must have been a spy in the past; you have a great understanding of three distinct cultures.    

I won’t let my husband start it until I am finished with it. 

 

This is for the movie industry, I can’t put it down.   

 

Anyway I continue to be amazed that anyone has the imagination to fill in the details to make a book such as yours become such an intense living thing when you are reading it.   

“I haven’t been into a novel this much since I read, Angels and Demons.  The detail and character depth keeps my interest going.”   

This book is fantastic!  It is so relevant to today’s current events.  I hope what you are writing doesn’t really happen.  I haven’t been able to let it sit for long periods and am almost to the end.  

 

Less than two weeks ago I received a book in the mail from a friend. It was an unexpected gift as it came from the author and was autographed with a message. I opened it on the day of my 2nd cataract surgery and when I noted the number of pages I visualized a month of on and off assault on the text.  That did not happen. Instead I found a compelling story of NOW that I could hardly put down. This book proposes a scenario of the building tension between us and the fundamental leaders of Iran. There was, of course, an overlay of the posturing within Israel that, along with the events in Iran, seemed it could have only been written by a true insider. It provides a very plausible progression that seems far from unrealistic and captures you with the intrigue, inside machinations and final disposition of program to seek world dominance.  

This is not a book you will likely find in your local library as it seems to be self-published but it is a read worthy of your time. In fact, it may well be one you want to have and then have copies sent to your friends.  If you want to check it out the name of the book is "Behind the Lies" and the author is Joe Smiga.  He was the high school classmate of a good friend.  You can get more info at www.joesmiga.com. Great Story - Great Gift. 

Bruce M. 

Hi Joe,

I was talking to the owner of the company who prints my office materials.  I wanted a quote for the booklet for our classmates.  I mentioned that one of my classmates wrote a novel that I found outstanding.  She asked the story line, and after two sentences she asked the title.  When I said Behind the Lies she said that she had heard a review of the book on a Christian Radio station and that it was quite favorable.   Can I have your autograph? 

Best of luck.

Jim

 

Hi Joe, I just wanted to let you know that I finished reading your book, Behind The Lies.  OUTSTANDING Sure hope it doesn't become reality but who knows.

I will be passing the book along for others to read.  I have emailed the program chair of the Concord Club letting him know what a wonderful book it is and hopefully, if they haven't already, invite you to speak at their club.

Let me know when you write another one as this one was hard to put down.

Alley Boucher, Gilford Rotary Club

Review of Behind the Lies

John Clayton’s column in the NH Union Leader 2009   

 

Serendipity

Speaking of books, there's a little thing in the publishing business called serendipity, and it comes into play when you write a novel and your fictional premise suddenly becomes a shocking truth, a truth that results in global outrage, banner headlines and round-the-clock cable news coverage.

That's what's happening to Joe Smiga.

Simply stated, the premise of his first novel is this -- Iran has nukes.

That's the central storyline in "Behind the Lies," a prescient piece of work worthy of Tom Clancy, what with Hamas and Hezbollah and renegade Ayatollahs in control of Kilo-class submarines and, in a tribute to his adopted hometown, Joe has scripted a cliff-hanger of a naval battle with a destroyer called the USS Manchester cast as a key player in the drama.

Talk about lucky timing.

"Actually, I had it planned," Joe said, and, while I thought he was joking, he wasn't.

"I'm Jewish," he explained, "I've been reading the Jerusalem Post for years and for as long as I've been reading it, Israeli intelligence has been saying that Iran would have a nuclear capability by the end of 2009, so when I started writing in 2005, that was going to be my premise." And what was his reaction when President Obama held that press conference announcing that Iran has acquired "sufficient information to be able to design and produce a workable atomic bomb"?

"It's a terrifying reality, but as an author, I was thrilled," he said. "His remarks reinforced the title -- the truth 'Behind the Lies' -- and the fact that my book has a black President who's in his first term in the book strikes a chord with readers as well.” If you'd like to be one of them -- readers, that is -- you can seek out "Behind the Lies" on the Amazon or Barnes and Noble websites, or if you're looking for an autographed copy, you can go to www.joesmiga.com.

John Clayton is the author of several books on Manchester and New Hampshire, including his newest title, "Remembering Manchester." He writes a regular column for the New Hampshire Union Leader a statewide newspaper.

Editing and Creating a Cover

The Premium Package I purchased had editing services and custom designed covers included.  However, I went with my original idea to have an editor with military thriller experience and had the cover designed by a graphic artist for "Behind the Lies."  I am glad I did, but for my next four books I used the editing services of Xlibris and my wife's photographs for the covers along with the templates I selected available in the package.  I found Xlibris's editing and the way they created the covers very satisfactory.  In July of 2008, I met the editor.  She agreed to review the manuscript and promised me the finished work in three months.  Unfortunately she wound up having surgery and it took six months to receive the edited manuscript.  I sent everything to Xlibris in January of 2009 and the book was published in April of 2009.

Contact with Xlibris

I e-mailed Xlibris two days later in May 2008.  I received a phone call from their customer service representative named Mary Jervis.  Mary was totally different in her handling me compared to the other two customer service reps I had spoken with.  She explained in great detail how Xlibris works with authors and was pleased to learn that I was refereed by another author.  She spent quite a bit of time explaining the seven publishing packages that Xlibris offers to authors.  She promised to send me information to review and promised to follow-up with me.  I made her aware that I was searching for an editor.  After receiving the information I reviewed the packages and decided I was willing to spend the money for what the Custom Package offered.  I didn't stop there.  I called the author who lives in Colebrook, NH and asked her if she wouldn't mind telling me which package she chose.  Susan told me she chose the Custom Package because she was thinking along the same lines I did cost wise.  However, she told me in the middle of the publishing process she added some additional features for her book which of course costs additional money.  She said if she published another book she would go with the Premium Package as that had all of the features she added plus some more for the same total of money she spent on her first book.

The following month being June, Mary Jervis called me back as she promised she would.  She asked if I had found my editor and I told her I did but we couldn't meet until July.  Mary said the second reason for her call was she wanted me to know that Xlibris was offering a fifty percent discount on its packages for the month of June.  The wheels in my head began to turn.  Here I had a good recommendation of this company and that month I could sign a contract to receive more benefits than if I had purchased the Custom Package at regular pricing.  That was a no brainer.  Mary and I discussed some other items and I signed a contract that day. 

If anyone is considering self-publishing I strongly recommend you consider Xlibris.  I now have five books with them and am in the process of completing my sixth manuscript and begin working on my seventh.  I would definitely ask for Mary Jervis at 1-888-795-4274 x 7156.  Mary is wonderful to work with and if you need any additional support she goes to bat for you and things are accomplished. You cannot get a better customers service rep anywhere else.

Learning About Self-Publishing

My first resource for learning about self-publishing was the city library.  There are numerous books on the subject.  After reading two books, I contacted two companies for what is called digital publishing or also known in the industry as "Print on Demand," books.  I spoke with customer service reps from both organizations advising them I was in a investigative mode.  What I also found was they were hyped up to sign me up.  I wanted to make sure I was valued as an author not merely purchasing a publishing package.  I didn't feel comfortable with either company.  This was April of 2008 and I attended the yearly event held by NH Writers Project.  The day-long event begins with a key-note speaker.  Then hosts a choice of various workshops for writing skills, publishing, developing in various areas to become successful.  I met a lady who lived in Colebrook, NH.  She had recently had her first book published by a company called Xlibris.  She couldn't say enough good things about them.  I decided to contact them on Monday.

The cover of Behind the Lies

An agent and an editor

The manuscript for Behind the Lies was completed in January 2008.  The search for an editor who understood military thrillers began and it wasn't easy.  It actually took six months to find one and I had to wait three months to get an appointment to meet with her.  While searching for an editor I began looking for an agent.  I contacted the five agents who handled big name authors most of us who read military thrillers are aware of.  I received five rejections saying they were not looking to work with new authors.  Understandable!  My search continued by using the Internet for agents who listed military thrillers on their website resumes.  I found thirty-six, I sent each of them an e-mail inquiring whether or not they would like a synopsis or query of the manuscript.  I received thirteen responses.  I also received thirteen rejections after submitting what each requested.  However, this time I learned another lesson.  Two rejections were women.  The first one said the manuscript will make a good book but she was not the right agent for it.  The second said the book will sell but she too was not the right agent for it.  There was another place to turn and I began to consider self-publishing.

How I Started My Writing Career

Toward the middle of 2005, my wife and I began talking about what I would do when I retired at the end of 2007.  She said, "You're a salesman, full of words.  Why don't you consider writing?"  "I can't write." I told her.  "Why not?" she said.  "You do articles for the Jewish Reporter newspaper and you have a column in the local Catholic magazine.  What you should consider is going back to school and taking an English composition class to brush up on your grammar."  I followed her suggestion and signed up for a twelve week English Comp course at the local community college.  I was sixty-four years old in a class full of young twenty year old adults.  We had a woman professor who made the class very interesting.  Over the twelve weeks we had six writing assignments.  Believe it or not I received an A.  The important thing was I not only learned to improve my grammar but that I liked to write and could write.   After the class was finished I had to consider what my next step would be.

So You Want to Write!

The director of a local senior center called me.  She had heard I was an author and asked me if I would be willing to do a presentation.  She further explained that she receives numerous requests from attendees about how one starts to write.  I told her I would think about some topics and e-mail them to her.  If she liked what she saw we could arrange something.  Two days later I received her call telling me it was more than she envisioned.  Yes, she wanted to schedule a session.  We listed it for the fall.  She posted it in the community mailer that was sent out and we waited to see what would happen.  She received eleven reservations.  The program went over so well I was asked to return for a second session because of interest in the topic.  Another interesting situation occured, the sister location of the senior center in another community saw the posting and called me to ask if I would do the same program at their location.  They had twenty-four reservations.

Second Time Around for a New Beginning

This posting was previously done in April, but I will begin again.  I have completed the postings of excerpts of "A Cowboy's Vengeance."  If you like what you saw the book is available online or at any bookstore in the country.  If you would like an autographed copy you can order it by going to my website www.joesmiga.com.  Besides being printed books my books are available as e-books from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or my publisher Xlibris.  I plan to take a break from writing excerpts but they will be back with the sequel to "Behind the Lies," and my memoir which will be out later this month.  What I plan to do now is post about how I began writing and what you need to address if you decide to get publishesd.

A New Beginning

Yesterday, I tried to post another portion of my writing experience.  I was not able to publish what I had written.  I saved it to a draft.  I attempted to sign out and then sign in again.  I wound up saving two more drafts and still nothing would publish.  I canceled the two additional drafts and all of a sudden I lost five months of postings after April 9, 2012.  I was very close to the end of the excerpts of my western and the majority of the postings had to do with how I started writing. 

Because I believe those postings might be useful to someone I will begin posting about my writing and publishing experience once more.  The only thing I can suggest to other bloggers is if the system doesn't work right just remove yourself from it and come back another time.  Google was evidently having problems over the weekend because the newly designed format they were using has been replaced by the original format to post and publish to your site.

HAPPY LABOR DAY

Blogger Problems

Five months of postings have been deleted.

Chapter Sixty-Five Back at the Ranch

As the three ladies arrive back at the ranch, Scott exits the front door.  He smiles seeing the three have come home safe and sound and they seem to be a little jubilant. 

“Well, how did it go?”

Carla replies with a smirk on her face, “Everything is all worked out, even what you and Tyler will wear.”

“I suppose we don’t even have a say in that either, right.”

Joan starts laughing, “Of course you do, we just came up with suggestions.”

“Oh, for a minute there I thought this might be a project run only by ladies.”

“Let us dismount and we’ll tell you all about it.”

“Let me help you with the horses.”

“Dad, do me a favor, I have asked Little Dove to stay overnight but she wants to head back now.”

“Little Dove, if you insist on leaving now that is your choice.  However, I would like to you stay as our guest, we feel you are a member of this family, stay at least another night, then you can get a fresh start in the morning.

“I am not being a burden?”

“If you are, I’ll be glad to put you to work this afternoon.”

Little Dove busts out laughing at what, Scott, just said.  “Okay, that’s a deal.”

“Spoken just like a white woman.”  Little Dove smiles.

Chapter Sixty-Four Wedding Plans

As the three ladies head into Silver Lake, apprehension starts to creep into Little Dove’s mind.  She has never done anything like this before; besides she is the only Indian amongst these other ladies.

Joan senses Little Dove’s mood because she is very quiet as they ride.  “Are you worried about being here with us?”

Little Dove looks surprised that Joan has picked up on her mood.  “Yes,” she says.  “I don’t feel like I fit in.”

“I guess it would be hard for me to sit with your maidens if you asked me to.  I would be glad to do it but I think I would be feeling just like you do now.”

Little Dove looks at her and smiles.  “I guess you’re right about that.  I didn’t think of it that way.”

“When we experience something new we tend not to look at the whole picture.  When we meet I want you to sit alongside of me.  Maybe that will make you feel a little better.”

“I’d like that, thank you.”

Chapter Sixty-Three Six Weeks Later

Saturday afternoon’s ride back to the S&R has a different type of discussion.  Joan tells Tyler she needs to be away for a couple of days so she, Carla, Maggie and Jessica can begin setting their wedding plans.

“So when do you need to be away?” 

“I’m not sure yet, I guess when Maggie and Jess can get together with Carla and me.  I think the best plan would be for Carla and me to meet with them in town in the evenings.  This way Carla’s ladies can meet with us as well.”

“Just let me know when you’re going.  Now that our home is completed I will probably have to stay here all weekend in the future.  I need to keep a watch over everything especially when we move some more of the herd up here.  Besides, I have two green young cowboys who are going to need some taking care of.”

“You don’t mind do you?  It’s been wonderful having so much time together even though both of us have been working so hard,” says Joan.

Chapter Sixty-Two Sunday Afternoon

Late Sunday afternoon the six riders of the Circle J come to the house.  Scott is standing on the front porch talking with Tyler and Mike.  As they approach each one of them moves their horse so they form a single line near the stairs.

Doug speaks for the group, “Well, Scott, have you made any decisions?”

“Yes, Tyler and I talked it over yesterday, all of you are hired.  Gentlemen, meet Mike, he’s been with me close to six years now.”  Each man nods toward Mike.

“Doug, Shannon, James and Sam the four of you will be working for me.  Dave and Gus will work for Tyler.  Why don’t you boys unsaddle your horses and place them in the corral.  The ladies are inside preparing dinner.”

Facial expressions show the men are happy to still have a job.  However Doug is disappointed he is separated from Dave and Gus.  Scott Reynolds has a good reputation in the territory but no one knows what it will be like working for Tyler.

We're Back from Israel

Linda and I returned from Israel this past week.  We were there for eight weeks and if you wish to look at her postings and pictures of the trip log onto www.avisiblevoice.blogspot.com.  We had a wonderful time.

Chapter Sixty-One Sunday Morning

“Scott only wants to buy half of the land.  If we settle on this I will buy the remaining half and the herd.  Our offer to you is $6,508.00.”

“That’s absurd; I can get ten thousand anytime.”

“Matt, let’s be realistic, you haven’t had an offer when the house was standing.  Do you really think you will get a buyer with the house in ruins?”

“Will you give me a little more that what you offered?”

“Like how much more?”

Taking a long trip

A notice for anyone who reads from this blog, I am heading for Israel this week with my wife for two months. 

I will begin posting excerpts for the final chapters beginning mid-March.

I hope you as readers enjoyed what you read.

Chapter Sixty Circle J Trouble

Frank and Jessie have been keeping an eye on everything that Matt does when they’re not out on the range.  Tonight they figure they will make their move.  When the other men are asleep in the bunkhouse; they dress quietly and carry their boots outside so as not to make any noise. 

Frank heads to the barn to saddle both of their horses and Jessie slowly moves towards the house.  Two weeks ago, they saw where the safe was located in the office.  One day, Jessie watched Matt place a card underneath the desk cover after closing the safe.  Yesterday, he got into the office and found what Matt placed under the desk cover; the combination to the safe. 

Frank met up with Jessie at the front door carrying an unlit oil lantern from the barn.  The two of them slide inside the front door and moved towards the office.  Inside of the office Jessie strikes a match to light the lantern and removes the combination numbers from the desk.  He begins to turn the combination dial.

For whatever reason he didn’t understand, Matt’s six sense tells him to check around the house that night, he decides to walk barefooted so he doesn’t make undue noise.  He walks around the upper level finding nothing unusual then heads downstairs.

Chapter Fifty-Nine Next Morning

Joan and Tyler awaken as the sun appears on the horizon.  She is not used to sleeping on cots and finds her body is stiffer than if she had been riding for hours.  Tyler located the tents near the stream which runs through the property it is easier for everyone to freshen in the morning or clean up at night.

She is amazed at how he seems to have all of the details laid out in his head.

He starts a fire before she rises and while she is getting herself together he offers to make breakfast.   Oh this is really different, she thinks.

As they eat, Tyler explains his plans to start.  “Today, we are going to build a corral, so the horses have room to move around and aren’t stuck in one place.  After the corral, we start on the barn.”

“Why, why not the house, I can understand the corral but you want the barn next?”

“Yes, I don’t know how much building experience these young men have that I’ve hired.  By building the corral and the barn it will give them some time to learn to use the tools and to think and plan.  I figure by the time the barn is finished they will have a good idea on how to tackle the house plans.  Besides, I have a wagon load of hay coming in four days and I don’t want it wet should the weather decide to change.”

“I would have never thought of it that way.  What do you want me to do today?”

Chapter Fifty-Eight Three Days Later

As he anticipated Randy and four wagons from the mill are making their way to the property.  Tyler notices Randy has a full wagon load too.  He is carrying the supplies ordered from the list Carla delivered.

Randy’s wagon arrives first.  “They’re not far behind me.  Where do you want me to unload these supplies?”

“I want everything you have unloaded under that shady area to the right of my horse.   I’ll walk over there and help you.”

They unload the three tents, cots, cooking equipment, stores for a week and various necessities.  When they finished, Tyler says, “I want you to send the second list I gave to Carla next week.  I want to change the menu so we don’t get tired of eating the same thing all the time.  I will give you a new list every time you deliver for the next week’s requirements.”

“Sounds like you’ve got this all figured out.  How long do you think it will take you to build?”

“I’m hoping to have most of it done in two months time.”